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Poster:
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deadmax |
Date:
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January 21, 2011 12:40:44pm |
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Forum:
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GratefulDead
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Subject:
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What;'s with Eyes of the World? |
I was listening to 12/18/73 today and then started singing the song myself. Now I've listened to this song countless times, played it on guitar countless times and sang it many more times than the people around me would have preferred. I've always wondered about that third verse but brushed it off, now I need to know:
"Sometimes we visit your countries and live in your homes. Sometimes we ride on your horses"
Who are "WE"? Is it aliens? The Dead? The dead? Tourists?
Anybody know?
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Poster:
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robthewordsmith |
Date:
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January 21, 2011 12:57:16pm |
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Forum:
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GratefulDead
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Subject:
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Re: What;'s with Eyes of the World? |
Sometimes we live no
particular way but our own
Sometimes we visit your country
and live in your home
Sometimes we ride on your horses
Sometimes we walk alone
Sometimes the songs that we hear
are just songs of our own
Doesn't seem that opaque to me. 'We' is anyone, you, me, the Grateful Dead, who interacts in any way with anyone else. Sometimes we do our own thing, sometimes we take a journey (which may not simply involve distance) to share in someone else's way of doing things, and sometimes we come to recognize the common ground between us.
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Poster:
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unclejohn52 |
Date:
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January 21, 2011 01:11:10pm |
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Forum:
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GratefulDead
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Subject:
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Re: What;'s with Eyes of the World? |
Very succinctly put Rob.
One interesting thing (for me anyway) is the shifts in viewpoint of these lyrics - from a first person's musings on a sweet summer day, to a sort of narrator with a redeemer "fable", and lastly to a third person "we" traveling through memories and thoughts. Deeply personal, yet universal too.
One of the happiest, most carefree and beautiful songs from Hunter/Garcia.
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Poster:
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robthewordsmith |
Date:
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January 21, 2011 02:16:13pm |
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Forum:
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GratefulDead
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Subject:
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Re: What;'s with Eyes of the World? |
I see it something like this. The song begins with restlessness, the nagging feeling in your soul that just being comfortable in your 'lazy summer home' isn't enough and that there's something more out there, if only you had 'wings a mile long' to reach it.
The second verse is about trying and failing to find answers that will last. It's about cycles of birth and death, renewal and decay, promises and betrayals, and the fact that the changes never end - there's always going to be a new turn of the cycle coming 'close on the heels' of the last one.
Finally, acceptance of change is found in recognizing that the Wheel doesn't turn for you alone, others have something that you can share in, and you have something to give in return. And we're all, though we might not always know it, singing the same song as we spin round one more time.
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Poster:
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deadpolitics |
Date:
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January 21, 2011 02:22:05pm |
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Forum:
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GratefulDead
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Subject:
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Re: What;'s with Eyes of the World? |
"Finally, acceptance of change is found in recognizing that the Wheel doesn't turn for you alone, others have something that you can share in, and you have something to give in return..."
Well put, rob! I may just have a slight disagreement on the next sentence, depending on what you take "our own" to mean.
"And we're all, though we might not always know it, singing the same song as we spin round one more time."
The lyrics say sometimes the songs that we hear are just songs of our own. I infer that Hunter is saying to accept each individuals way of doing things. That it's okay that what you believe/do is not the same as someone else but not to make a big deal out of it.
Of course when I think about this a little deeper, I have to come round to your point of view in saying that the sum of all these viewpoints, all of our songs, is ultimately harmonious and the song we all sing is "our own" as in of the human kind, of this Earth, and of this Cosmos and that separation is illusion.
All eyes are the "Eyes of the World" regardless of whether they agree with your or not, whether they kill or make love, or whatever.
Always loved these lyrics since I first heard them.
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Poster:
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robthewordsmith |
Date:
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January 21, 2011 02:54:11pm |
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Forum:
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GratefulDead
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Subject:
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Re: What;'s with Eyes of the World? |
It doesn't look like we disagree at all. I think you're right to say that Hunter sees that we're all individuals, but he's also saying that we share a common humanity. We might put different words to the song but the melody is the same and we can all sing together in our different voices.
Maybe keeping your eyes and ears open to experience is something of a theme of Hunter's:
'Once in a while
you get shown the light
in the strangest of places
if you look at it right'
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Poster:
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deadpolitics |
Date:
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January 21, 2011 03:44:18pm |
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Forum:
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GratefulDead
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Subject:
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Re: What;'s with Eyes of the World? |
You are right, we do not disagree at all in our overall understanding, I just thought the emphasis in the last verse was on our individuality rather than the common thread, which you so beautifully expressed. Oh man, I am just nit-picking.
Thank you for these quotes. You have a way with words, and I'm glad that helps you pay the bills.
"We might put different words to the song but the melody is the same and we can all sing together in our different voices."
"acceptance of change is found in recognizing that the Wheel doesn't turn for you alone, others have something that you can share in, and you have something to give in return. And we're all, though we might not always know it, singing the same song as we spin round one more time."
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Poster:
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deadmax |
Date:
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January 21, 2011 01:34:32pm |
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Forum:
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GratefulDead
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Subject:
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Re: What;'s with Eyes of the World? |
Your words made sense as they always do. I guess I had a block about it for some reason because I didn't get that from the lyrics. Thanks for the insightful clarification. I guess that was an instance where I was really walking alone.
Thanks for riding my horses.
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Poster:
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robthewordsmith |
Date:
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January 21, 2011 02:21:19pm |
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Forum:
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GratefulDead
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Subject:
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Re: What;'s with Eyes of the World? |
You're most welcome. Thank you for lending me your fine horses.
:-)
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Poster:
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ringolevio |
Date:
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January 21, 2011 01:27:16pm |
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Forum:
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GratefulDead
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Subject:
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Re: What;'s with Eyes of the World? |
>sometimes we come to recognize the common ground between us
Or not :)
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Poster:
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deadpolitics |
Date:
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January 21, 2011 02:34:08pm |
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Forum:
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GratefulDead
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Subject:
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Re: What;'s with Eyes of the World? |
I have a feeling that this verse is directly influenced by the experiences the GD had travelling around interacting with many different groups and cultures. Not surprising this song comes right after the Europe 72 tour!
Thanks for the question, I really like the idea of the visitations being from aliens and/or the spirits of the deceased.
This post was modified by deadpolitics on 2011-01-21 22:34:08
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Poster:
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Lou Davenport |
Date:
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January 21, 2011 05:30:41pm |
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Forum:
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GratefulDead
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Subject:
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Re: What;'s with Eyes of the World? |
I think the most plausible explanation is aliens, especially given the extra verse that Jerry sings in some of the Wake of the Flood rehearsals:
Sometimes we bring out the fire hose
Sometimes we make your clones
Sometimes we leave you unconscious and back in your home
Wake up to find out...
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Poster:
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deadmax |
Date:
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January 21, 2011 08:59:25pm |
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Forum:
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GratefulDead
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Subject:
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Re: What;'s with Eyes of the World? |
Yes.
I think the alien viewpoint is the soundest. Especially with those hidden verses I'm sure no one has heard. This makes perfect sense.
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